Selling baseball cards in the offseason...is it worth it to wait until spring training?

jhpfunk

Just wondering what the more experienced members of the board think. I still have about 500-1000 mostly late 60's to modern PSA 9 and 10 baseball HOFers and near HOFers to sell off. I'm in no rush to sell anything that's left. So, I'm thinking that it may be prudent to wait until nest season??? My game plan has always been to watch VCP and only sell my cards when there hasn't been one for sale over a decent stretch of time. My only concern that 4SC and the like will continue to flood the market and I'll watch my 70's to modern PSA 10's values continue to fall if I don't sell through the offseason. Beyond that, I'd be happy to call it a season and start selling when Spring Training starts.

What do you guys think of that strategy? I know that there will be some that will say: "just list the minimum bid for the least that you'll sell it for" and "it only takes on bidder" (both good schools of thought). But I want to pick a time of the year to sell when the bidding is most intense. Does it matter? Is there a time? Do (more modern) collectors start leaning towards collecting the other sports cards when the season ends?

Buccaneer

In normal year, fall and spring are generally the best times to sell. Winter (after Christmas) and summer are not. Of the past 4 years (not including this year), the fall (Sept-Nov) were by far my best selling and most profitable season. However, despite what few cards I have left to sell, I will not try to sell anything this year and early next.

WinPitcher

I always thought the winter was a good time to sell, cabin fever and all that.

People work on sets during the winter.

Steve

StopYurWhining

might be a good time to wait to see if the economy completely collapses or not. It's all smoke and mirrors at this point.

jhpfunk

The economy is also a solid concern and reason to wait until next year.

earlycalguy

<< <i>The economy is also a solid concern and reason to wait until next year. >>



what is going on with these companies/housing/etc. will just beginning to take affect on the economy come next year. if today is bad then next year will be worse.

digicat

Scan the registries and see if you've got what the high-rollers need. If so, it doesn't matter what time of year you sell them. If not, then check out the VCP history for the cards you need and see if you notice any paterns. Hard data should give you the direction you need.


Of course, if the whole financial system collapses, then you'll have a hard time trading those cards for guns, ammo, gas, batteries, and water.

PoppaJ

It may depend on what type of cards you're selling.

I know nothing about modern stuff prices, but vintage Mantles, Ruths, Gehrigs etc
don't seem to be affected much by the economy.

I can't see why PSA 9 & 10s of late 60s wouldn't get you a nice price in the fall/winter.

It sure seems like there is an endless supply of collectors with deep pockets
competing for expensive vintage cards year round.

This month is going to be a record month for us, and all of our sales come from
vintage cards & memorabilia.

Not everyone is feeling the pinch of the economy.

If you have what people are looking for .... it will sell!

JMHO,

PoppaJ

jhpfunk

Fair enough.

WinPitcher

If you have what people are looking for .... it will sell!


Ain't that the truth. Last night a card I was going to bid moon money on was won by someone else
who spent pluto money.

I'm talkin 925.00 for a card that I'd gladly spend 500.00 on that I could have won 2 years ago for 300.00


Steve

Ahzzy

Do you have any PSA 9/10 Lou Piniella by chance? I know he's not a HOF player but thought I'd check!

RipublicaninMass

I plan on listing some vintage stuff in Novemeber. There is a large card show here ithe end of October with Levi, Mr mint etc so if there is stuff they wont buy for all the money, it will go to ebay before x-mas. HOPEFULLY be able to finish my 55 set this year!

RonBurgundy

It all evens out, no matter what time you sell. Trying to guess the best time to sell is like trying to time the stock market. By the time you think you have it figured out, stuff sells on Ebay for way more than you ever would've guessed.

Also agree with the sentiment that if people think the economy is bad now, just wait. It's going to be a long cold winter.



Ron

diamondman

Ebay = crap shoot sometimes it comes up and sometimes it don't . PS: if u r smart u can make money in a declining market or a bull market.

then again it's all a crap shoot, personally i like my odds on Russian roulette better.

rube26105

<Of course, if the whole financial system collapses, then you'll have a hard time trading those cards for guns, ammo, gas, batteries, and water.>

i got that part covered rather well at the rubecave, m.r.e.s. .water,food,gas, only a idiot would come down here and try to steal something from me ,economy collapses ,i might have to start a graveyard in field though and eventually boilcards in water to get fibers and eat roots

tarheelsnipe

I hear ya rube, putting heads on stakes in the front yard works much better than that ADT sign. I'm stocked with MRE's myself. Nothing beats eating beef stew on the roof picking off looters.

WinPitcher

Nothing beats eating beef stew on the roof picking off looters.



lmao


Steve

CDsNuts

In baseball it seems like selling during the season is optimal, but not nearly as much as with football. Once NFL fever takes over in about week 6, sales really start to climb, especially for active players.

Honestly though, with the stuff you sell jhp, I don't think it really matters. The high end, high grade stuff seems to bring pretty consistent money regardless of when you sell.

jhpfunk

I might test the waters a bit and see what happens.